Cate Blanchett: ‘Weinstein harassed me too’

The Australian Oscar-winner is the latest Hollywood star to make allegations of sexual misconduct against the producer, following claims by more than 80 other women including Rose McGowan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie.

Blanchett has appeared in a number of films produced by Weinstein, including The Talented Mr Ripley, Carol and The Aviator.

In an interview with trade publication Variety, the Australian star was asked if Weinstein sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately towards her.

"With me, yes," Blanchett replied. "I think he really primarily preyed, like most predators, on the vulnerable. I mean I got a bad feeling from him. He would often say to me, 'We're not friends'."

Actress Cate Blanchett accepts the Oscar for best supporting actress for her work in The Aviator at the 77th Academy Awards.Mark J. Terrill/AP

When asked what he meant by that, Blanchett replied: "Well, I wouldn't do what he was asking me to do," but declined to specify further.

"I'm really interested in the people who have transgressed in ways that are beyond the bounds of offensive, what people like Harvey have done, and there are men across many industries [who have done that]," she added. "He's been held up as an exemplar because he's unfortunately typical of certain men. I'm interested in those people being prosecuted. We have to set a legal precedent."

"Part of the mission of Time's Up is to help those who do not have the capacity to raise the funds to defend themselves and to move toward workplace equality, fairness and safety," said Blanchett. "When legal precedent is set by people being actually convicted, then other people can benefit from that because those precedents have been set.

"But me fuelling the gossip and accounts? There's enough out there."

Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women and is the subject of police investigations in London, New York and Los Angeles. He has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

When asked if she thought Weinstein could go to jail, Blanchett responded: "Well, I hope so." Blanchett also spoke about the allegations of sexual abuse against director Woody Allen, made by his daughter Dylan and denied by Allen. The actress won an Oscar for her role in Allen's film Blue Jasmine.

Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. Picture: Supplied

"Obviously, Dylan Farrow has been living in a world of pain, and if the case has not been properly tried, then it needs to be reopened and go back into court, because that's a place where those things get solved," she said.

Asked if she would ever work with either of them, she said: "I don't think Harvey will be making films with anybody. He was brought on as the producer on many films that I had absolutely no say on. I didn't have a creative or functional relationship with him.

"Would I work with Woody again? I had a very productive time working with Woody, and he has written some of the most extraordinary roles for women.

"But at the time I worked with him I knew absolutely nothing about what was going on, and it came out subsequently.

"But, far more important than me adding to yet another headline, and finger-pointing is, if that issue has not been dealt with, I am absolutely for it to go back into the courts because there lies the solution.

"There are many male directors who I have heard about and have not necessarily had positive experiences with whom I would not work with again who didn't lay a finger on me at all.

"There are many reasons why one doesn't want to work with people again," Blanchett said.